Method of and apparatus for extracting oils and the like.



E. 0. BARSTOW & T. GRISWOLD, In. METHODOF AND APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING OILSAND THE LIKE.

V APPLICATION FILED DEC-24. I914. 1,238,0M'w Patented Aug. 28, 1917.

W/ 77VE66 V W M 6% 0. W

' for the extraction of oils and the like [En snares reruns curren- BABSTOW AND THOMAS GRISWQIJD, JR., OF MIDLAND, MICHIGAN.

MTJEEOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR EXTBACTING OILS ieeaoea.

original application filed October 9; 1912, Serial No, 724,785. Divided and this application filed December 1 Specification of Letters Patent.

AND THE LIKE.

Patented Aug. aaiei a.

24, 1914. a Serial No. erases.

To all whom it may concern: J Be it known-that we, EDWIN O. BARSTOW and THOMAS Gniswono, Jr., citizens of the United- States, and residents .of Midland,

. 5, county of Midland, StateofMichigan, have jointly invented a new and useful Improvement in Methods of and Apparatus for Extracting Oils and the like, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the 10 invention being herein explained and the best mode in'which we have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions. In extraction processes, where the more readily soluble constituents of materials are to "be separated from their less readily soluble, or insoluble, constituents by the process of washing it is frequently desirable to use the solvent over and over again. This 'is particularly the case where the solvent employed is valuable, as in the case of naph tha, carbon tetrachlorid, or the like, the two named solvents being particularly 'ada ted rom the materials in which they are found. The present improvements relate more especially to a method of and apparatus for on such a general extraction process, wherein the flow of fresh solvent to the extractor is automatically regulated, such regulation being based upon the strength of the extract obtained. To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends the invention, then, consists 'of the steps and means for car The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detail certain mteians and modes offlcarryin'g out the inven 'on, such disclosed means and modes illustrating, however, but several of the various ways in which the principleof-the invention may be used. 1

In said annexed drawing, the single figure there appearing represents in more" or less diagrammatic form, an arrangement of apparatus for the carrying out of our improved process. 7 r The subject matterof the present case, it should be explained, has been required to be divided out of our coending application rying on the same, hereafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

filed October 12, 1912, Serial N0.'724,7s5,

(now issued into Patent No. 1,125,920, dated January 19, 1915), to which reference may apparatus, as well as the method of regu lation exemplified in the operation of the same, may be used in conjunction with various forms of extracting apparatus, proper;

also that the adj unctsfto such extracting apthe subject matter of present interest, such paratus herein shown and described may be differently. arranged, or in part entirely omitted, without affecting the desired regu ation.

In the illustrated apparatus the extractor will be seen to consist of a cylindrical drum 1 which is diagrammatically shown in cross section at right angles to its axis. This drum is rotatable on a shaft 2, suitable means (not shown) being provided for the purpose of rotating the same. The cylindrical periphcry of the drum is corrugated and covered with a pervious filter 3 of suitable material,

that forms a continuous band around the drum over the corrugations. The surface of the drum is further divided-,ofi into a plurality of similar transverse sections 4, sixteen being shown'for' the purpose of illu s tration. Each of these sections is provided with a-port .5, such ports opening in the surface of a commutating valve 6,,-against "which is slidably held a suitable take-01f valve'7, provided in the present instance with four ports, 8, 9, 10 and 11, the first three of which are respectively-connected by means of pipes 12, 13 and 14, wlth pumps 17, 16 and'15. Thesepumps are adapted to create a suction through the corresponding pipes andlports and thus through the several sections-of the filter cover that happen to be in communication with the respective ports.

The filter drum '1 is inclosed within a tight casing or chamber 18, the lower portion of which constitutes a receptacle for the reception of a mixtulg 0f the material to be treated and the solvent used in the extraction process. The material to be treated such regulator being reserved for future do scription; The level of the mixture, within the chahiber, however, is such as, to cause the drum 1 to bepartially submerged therein, as clearly shown in-Fig. 1.

The respective discharge 25, from the pumpsfl5, 16 and 17 lead to separators 26, 27 and 28 which are adapted to receive the mixed air and solvent (such air and solvent being" drawn through the pumps, as will be presently described), and separate the same .bygravity, the solvent passing off by way of separate pipes 29, 30 and 31'. and the air-by way of a common attached to the side wall of the-chamhe liquid mixture within the cham trolled, the construction and operation of lines 23, 24 and branched pipe 32. The air in such pipe 32 will be under pressure, due to the hydrostatic headmeasured from the level of the liquid in the several separators (such-level being indicated by dotted lines) to the outlet level of said reservoirs which is the same in each being indicated byrnumeral 33 in each case. Such hydrostatic head is controlled at will by means of an adjustable relief valve 34 connected to pipe 32 and venting into thehousing,18

Located above and parallel with the axis of the extractor drum within the casing 17 that houses the same, are two troughs, or

feed boxes 35' and36, the first of which is supplied with fresh solvent by way of pipe 37 from 'astorage tank 38'; the second of which'is'suppliedi by a pipe 29 leading from;

the overflow .,Of-j separator-i127 is carried to a liquid inlet g'pipe 39"at5tl1e1ba3e of the chamber '18 by way of 'ipes 30. and 40, a hydrostatic device, which controls the supply of fresh solvent through ifip'pe 37 being interposed between said two'pipes 3 0and 40. v

This, hydrostatic device'comprises a vertical stand pipe 41 enlarged at its upper portion to 'form a chamber, the latter overflowing into the pipe that leads to the liquid inlet pipe 39. atthe bottom of the ex-' tractor chamber. I In the chamber of the de-' vice is located a float 42 connected by means of a rod 43 to the lever- 44- of a valve 45-in the feed pipe 37 for the fresh solvent. This .7

float, being immersed in the extract in the chamber, will obviously rise and fall as the latter varies in density. Assuming the by drostatic device tobe arranged for dealing with carbon tetrachlorid in extracting an ofsep'arator 26. The overflow] aasaoee 3 oil lighter than such tetrachlorid, should the extract become poorer in oil and hence heavier, the float will rise, thereby actuating the valve 45 to decrease the flow of fresh solvent into the extractor; should, on they contrary, the extract become richer in oil and hence lighter, the float will sink and actuate the valve to increase the flow of freshsolvent' to the extractor. The connection-between the rod 43 and the lever 44 is adjustable, so thatthe float can be set to respond to'any' desired density or strength of extract in chamber 41, and when so set it will automatically regulate the flow ofgfresh solvent to the extractor, such regulation'beso ing based on the strength-of the extract obtained.

The separator 28 into which pump 17 discharges, is designed normally to overflowinto a stationary filter (not shown), but the overflow from said separator is also connected by means of .the pipe 31 with the regulator 22, previously referred to, and thence with the extractor chamber by way of inlet pipe 39. The action of'this regulater is normally to close the connection of the pipe 31 therewith, so long as the mixture in saidchamber'is maintained at a predetermined level. Should, however, this level fall, a oat 47 in the regulator will drop correspondingly and' thereby open a valve 48 and permit a portion, or all, of the extract overflowing from the separator "28 to be diverted from the filter 46 through v pipe 31 to the extractorchamber 18. Such 100 lowering of the level obviously will occur only when the supply of extract over-flowing from separator 27 and passing'thence through pipe 30, hydrostatic device 41, and pipe 40 to the extractor chamber, is insufi'u cient to maintain the predetermined level in said chamber.

The normal course of flow of the solvent may be, for the purposes of the description, taken'to be from the last extraction to the 110 filter 46 although in actual operation, the volume of this flowis less than that returned to the extractor in order to maintain a uniform and constant level in same.' In normal operation the valve 48 is always open 115 and a continuous flow is passing forward to the filter 46, the valve serving merely to antomatically divide the,total flow into twoportions, one to the filter, the other to the extractor.

The extract as it enters the chamber, whether supplied through pipe 40 or pipe 31, is mixed with the untreated material as; the latter is drawn away from hop-per 20 into the base of the extractor byrthe action 125 of padd1es'49 suitably rotated, as need not be explained. The opening from the hopper 201into the extractorchamber, being below ;the liquor level therein, such liquor traps the opening and prevents escape of'air and sol- 130 vent vapor from thechamber 18, and the downwardlymoving mass of material within the hopper forms a stopper which further retards or prevents the vaporization of the 5 solvent which wets the material in the base of the hopper. The operation of the extractor apparatus as'a whole, may now be advantageouslyreviewed, in order that the function of the regulating device, which is of principal interest herein, may be better understood. It will be noted, then, that the material,- as it is fed through the hopper into the extractor chamber 18 by the action of the paddle, 49, ismixed with the extract flowing inthrough the pipe 39, such extract being in the main supplied through pipe 31, there being a larger flow of extract returned through such pipe 31 and'valve 48 than through pipe 40, 20 since there is a considerably larger volume drawn in through the surface of the rotary filter in producing a layer thereon than there is drawn through the same in wasl ng such layer, and'the portion divided out I d sent forward to the stationary filter 46 is relatively small. a It will be understood that whenever the level of the mixture in the chamber falls below a. predetermined point, the deficiency is made up by divertingthe overflow from separator 28, through pipe 31. The mixture ofextract and material, thus produced in the bottom of the extractor chamber, being in contact with the submerged portion of the filter drum 1, a quantity of the fluid extract is drawn from such mixture in the base of the chamber through the submerged sections 1 of the drums cylindrical surface by pump 17 acting through pipe 12 and port 8. A layer of the material is thus caused to deposit onthe surface of the drum, such layer forming continuously to approximately uniform thickness as the drum rotates. I I

The material thus deposited on the drums surface as it rises above the level of the mixture is, of course, wet, that is, it includes a brought into communication with the port 9 a that is connected with pumpglG, such port so being normally in register with but three of the sections of the drums surface at a, time, whereas the first'port was more extensive, as shown in Fig. 1. The trough or feed box 3'6,'which receives the overflow from sep- 65. arator 26, is disposed to discharge the weaker extract received from said separator on the surface of the drum along a line just safely above that whichthe sections of said drums surface must reach in order to be in com- I municati-on with said port 9. The additional flow ofsolvent thus run onto the material from the feed box is drawn through the material by the pump 16 and by it conveyed to thenext separator in .the series, viz., separator 27. I The sections 4 of the drums surface are next brought into communication in successi'on with port 10 connected with pump 15, the second trough, or feed box 35, being disposed so as to discharge thefresh solvent received from the reservoir 38 onto the layer of material covering the drums surface along a line just beyond that which the sec-.

tions must reach in order to first come into such communication with suchport Finally the sections, one by one 1n the illustrated construction come into re 'ster.

with the port 11, this port being connected with the air line 32 thrbugh which the air that is drawn by theseveral pumps "and then separated from the solvent in the separators is returned to the extractor chamber. This air blows through the filter membrane that forms the outer surface of the drum and thus-assists in loosening thelayer of material thereon so that the latter may be easily re moved by means of a scraper 50, which delivers'the extracted material onto a conveyor 51 that serves to continually convey the same outside of the'housing, as fast as it is received frontv the revolving extractor drum. i

This same air; after separation, is available for loosening the layer of exhausted material, no outside air being required to be introduced at any state of the operation.

It will be further noted that after the extract is separated from the material picked up by the rotating extractor, the solid mate-- rial remaining on the drums surface is washed one or more times by weaker extract,

and finally by entirely fresh solvent, as the extractor drum rotates; also that the, extract from each extraction, as such drum rotates, is kept separate from the extract of all the other extractions and the fresh solvent fed into the box or trough 35 is next fed into the box or trough 36 and is later mixed with the fresh, incoming material at the base. of

' the extractor chamber." Such incoming material, itwill accordingly be seen, moves in a general direction substantially opposite to that in which the current of solvent, freshly received at the feed box 35, is caused to move as it is brought intermittently into con-- 1 ytactual relation with the material as the our invention may be employed instead of" -the one explained, change being made as regards the meansand "the steps herein dise. provided those stated by. anyone of through the su employed.

' ably, however, we place it as shown near the final extraction, at-which point the extract is ,.nearly full strength.

Othermodesfof applymg the principle of closed, the following claims or them equivalents. be,

We therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as our invention 1. In a method of'the character described, wherein a supply ofv the material 'tobe treated and a fluid solvent are continuously mixed and thereupon separated, the .step

which consists in maintaining the bulk of the mixture substantially constant 'bytteturning thereto solvent that has been separrated .from such material," and automaticallyregulatingthe supply of fresh soltent. by the proportion; of extractpin such, separated;

"' 'trafted substance resulting from such last.

solvent. 2. In a method of the character described;

; the steps which consist in treating aisupply of the :mat'erial .with-jia fluid solv'e'nti sepa rating suchsolventirom the mateiia then treating such 7 again, fresh solvent used in suchdast f fsuch 1 treatment heingusedin th prec'eding. -treatment; and scat-u ually regulating the supply of fresh"- solvent by the proportion of-extracted substance in such solvent following one of said treatments.

' 3. In amethOd of the charactei described, the steps which consist in treating a supply of thematerial with alfluid solvent; separating such solventfrom the material; then material with again a plurality of times, fresh solvent-be ing used in the last treatment and the solvent containing a certain amount of extracted the extractionslas Nos. 1,2, 3, fresh solvent wash,'

material-3 ,with such -solvent treatment and thesolvent 'conta'ininga certain amount 0 extracted? substance resulting" v such Isolven't'v "substanceresulting from such last treatment being used in the preceding treatment and then," finally, in the first treatment of the material; and automatically regulating the supply of fresh solvent by .the proportion of extracted substance in such solvent following one of the foregoing treatments; 2 4. In a method of the character described, the steps which con's'ist in treating a supply of "the materialwith a fluid'solv'ent; sepa the material; then" rating such solvent from treating [such material with such solvent again a plurality of'times, fresh solyent being used in the last treatment and the solvent containing a certain amount of extracted substancere'sulting from. such last treatment -';Ib,ei1 g used in the preceding treatment and then, finally, in thefirst treatment of the material; and automatically -firststep'substantially constant by returning I theretosolvent from such treatment.

' ,.6 In a method f thecharacter described, theisteps which consistin mixing a supply oft fthe material with a"fl -uid=solvent; sepa regulating the supply'of fresh solvent by the proportion of. I extracted substance in such solvent -follow- Mata,

rating such solvent from; the material; then treating such material such solvent a plurality of times, fresh solvent be?" .again used in the last treatment and the solvetftt containing a certain amount of extreatmentbeing used'in thepreceding treat tii'sthe-j material,yvith a. fluid solvent; sepa- 'i'atingsuch solvent from the material; then again, esh solvent being used in such treatment and thesolvent containing a certain amount of extracted substance resulting from such treatment beingmixed with the material the first described step maintaining the bulk of the mixture in such first step bstantially constant 'by returnin thereto solvent from- -fs'uch treatment; and automaticallyregulating the supply of fresh m thodof the-character described,

describedstep substantially' constant by re- 'tur1'iing} "eretosol-vent from the first treatiia . V a 1 treatin' V such-material w th suchsolvent.

solvent by the proportion of extracted substance in such solvent followingone of said treatments,

8. In a method of the character described, the steps which consist in mixing a supply of the material with a fluid solvent; separating such solvent from the material; then treating such material with such solvent again a plurality of times, fresh solvent being used in the last treatment and the solvent containing/ a certain amount of extracted substane resulting from such last treatment being used in the preceding treat ment and then, finally, mixed with the materialin the first-described step; maintaining the bulk of the mixture in such firstdescribed step substantially constant by returning thereto solvent from the first treatment; and automatically regulating the supply of fresh solvent .by the proportion of extracted substance in such solvent following one of such treatments.

- 9. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with an extractor,

wherein the material is initially mixed and then successively treated with a suitable solvent a plurality of times; of means adapted to maintain a mixture of such material and solvent in said extractor, said means including a connection for supplying fresh solvent for the last of such treatments, and a'devic'e adected by the proportion of extracted substance in the solvent following a preceding solvent in said extractor, said means including a connection for supplying fresh solvent for the last of such treatments, and a device afiected by the proportion of extracted substance in the solvent following an intermedlate treatment adapted to regulate said connection. a

I and a hydrostatic device affected by 11. Inan apparatus of the character described, the combination with an extractor, wherein the material is mitlall'y mixed and then successively treated with a suitable solvent a plurality of times; of means adapted to maintain a mlxture of such material and solvent in said extractor, said means including a connectionfor supplying fresh solvent for the last ofsuch treatmenfis, t e

proportion of extracted substance in the solvent following a preceding treatment adapted to regulate said connection.

12. In an apparatus of'the character described, the combination with an extractor wherein the material is initially mixed and then successively treated with a suitable solvent a plurality of times; of means adapted to maintain a mixture of such material and solvent in said extractor, said means including a connection forsupplying fresh solvent for the last of such treatments, another connection for returning to said extractor the solvent following one of such treatments ,to be mixed with the material, and means afiected by the bulk of such mixture adapted to regulate said second connection.

13. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with an extractor, wherein the material is initially mixed and then successively treated with a suitable solvent a plurality of times; of means adapted to maintain a mixtureof such material and solvent in said extractor, said means including a connection for supplying fresh solvent for the last of such treatments, another connection for returning to said extractor the solvent following one of such treatments to be mixed with the material, and a float device afl'ected by the bulk'of such mixture adapted to regulate said second connection. e

14. In ariapparatus of the character described, the combination with an extractor wherein the material is initially mixed and then successively treated with a suitable solvent a plurality of times; of means adapted to maintain-a mixture of such material and solvent in said extractor, said means including a connection for supplying fresh solvent for the last of such treatments, a device afiected by the proportion of e.

tracted substance in the solvent following a preceding treatment adapted to regulate said connection, another connection for returning to said extractor the solvent following one of such treatments to be there mixed with the material, and means afi'ected by the bulk of such mixture adapted to regulate said second connection.

Signed by us, this 8th day of December,

' EDWIN O. BARSTOW.

THOMAS GRISWOLD, JB.

Attested by: l

W. R. Cmssmr, J. H. McCor. 

